Tie means for concrete forms



Get. 8, 19M). J A, K N 2,217,278

- TIE MEANS CONCRETE FORMS ".Fiied April 29, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. A. KANTER TIE MEANS FOR CONCRETE FORMS I Get. 8, 1940.

' Filed April 29, 1939 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct.- 8, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIE MEANS FOR CONCRETE FORMS Jacob A. Kanter, Chicago, 111.

Application April 29, 1939, Serial No. 270,852

10 Claims.

This invention relates to means for holding concrete forms in proper spacing, and more particularly to the clamping means used for holding the ends of tie wires used for that purpose.

It is one of the objects of the. present invention to provide improved means for anchoring an end of a wire spreader tie that secures concrete forms in relative positions.

In making concrete walls it is customary to set up a form and secure opposite walls of the form together by wires extending through the opposite walls,- with the ends of the wires held tightly in place. The wires not only hold the form against separating but also hold it against inward collapse prior topouring of the concrete. In such structures as used heretofore it was necessary to provide rather complicated walers for holding the clamps that secured the ends of the tie wires. The present invention is concerned with the provision of improved means for anchoring the ends of a tie wire of the above type, which will do away with the need for double walers. It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved clamp, which can be used on a single waler or which can be used on a. stud or upright that is a part of the form. As a result it is always possible to avoid double walers and it is frequently possible to avoid even a single waler. The anchoring means of the present invention consists essentially of a clamp which cooperates with a single waler or a stud and is adapted to receive and hold the end of a tie wire, the clamp being provided with wedging means for drawing the tie wire taut.

When a clamp of this type is used the pres sure exerted thereagainst by the concrete may become enormous. It is therefore necessary that the tie wire be drawn exceedingly taut. Means must be provided to prevent the clamp from turning under the forces exerted thereagainst. In the prior clamps-with which I am familiar turning of the clamp was prevented by providing a second waler so that the clamp is supported both above and below the tie wire, the tie wire extending between the two walers. This greatly increases the cost of setting up the concrete forms. vention to provide a clamp structure of the above mentioned character which can be used on a single waler, or on a stud or upright, and wherein the clamp itself is provided with some means for holding it against turning, thus obviating the need of a second waler. The means for accomplishing this result, in the preferred embodiment of the. present invention, comprises a projecting member which is preferably, although not necessarily; of a channel shape and which is an integral part of the clamp. The projecting member extends at right angles to the sheeting of the concrete form and bears against the It is an object of the present instud or waler to hold the clamp against turning under the forces exerted thereagainst. The tie wire extends to and through the clamping face of the clamp between the above mentioned channel member and the single waler or stud on which the clamp is used.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a tie wire clamp which shall be simple and economical of construction, which can be used in a simple manner, and which will require a minimum of time on the part of the field worker in using the same.

It is a still further object of the present invention toprovide a clamp of the above mentioned character which will not require nailing of the clamp to the stud or waler or to any other part of the forms used. This not only saves time of the workman,'but in addition, avoids mutilation of the lumber used in the forms.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a clamp of the above mentioned character which is small in size and light in weight and which contains no separable parts that may be lost. As a result of this construction shipment as well as storage of the clamp is greatly facilitated.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through two concrete forms tied together by ties held in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of one of the forms of Figure 1 with certain of the wedging clamps removed to illustrate the construction;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and locking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is an enlarged end view of the clamp of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a top view of another type of concrete form to which the clamp of the present, invention has been applied;

Figure '7 is a front view of a portion of the form of Figure 6;

Figure B-lS an end sectional view of the form of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a clamp of the present invention modified to receive a different type of wedge; and v Figure 10 is a sectional view illustrating one manner of using the clamp of Figure 9.

Reference may now be had more particularly to Figures 1 and 2. In these figures there are illustrated two identical panel forms, indicated at and 2, tied together in spaced relationship to allow a space 3 for the reception of concrete, and suitably braced, as indicated at 4, in a manner known in the art. Each frame includes two studs or uprights 1 and 8 secured together by ribs or single walers 9 to I inclusive. Although I have illustrated a form having seven ribs, it is to be understood that the form may have a greater or lesserjnumber of ribs as desired. The ribs and studs or uprights are made of wood approximately two inches by four inches in cross section and form a panel to which is nailed or otherwise secured sheeting I6 which may be in .the form of individual boards or in the form of a single plywood board covering the entire panel. It is to be noted that there are no double walers in this panel. The boards I6 form a continuous smooth face which is the face of the form in contact with the concrete thereafter poured. A number of keyhole-shaped slots are formed in the boards l6, the slots being formed with the base 2| of the slot immediately above and flush and parallel with the corresponding ribs 9 to l5 inclusive. Each keyhole slot includes a round portion 22 and a straight portion 23 of appreciably less width than the diameter of the round portion 22. If desired the keyhole slots may be formed at 90 to the positions shown, with the portion 22 uppermost and the slot 23 extending downwardly therefrom. This facilitates positioning of the tie wires.

The panel forms I and 2 are mounted in position and tied together by tie wires 25 which may be of any one of a different number of types in common use. The tie wire here illustrated comprises a steel wire having a circular disc 26 welded or otherwise secured thereto a short distance from the end of the wire, or held against movement away from the adjacent end of the wire by a short collar or protuberance 21 formed on the wire. At the end of the wire there is provided an enlarged head or knob 28. The diameter of the disc 26 is slightly less than the diameter of the hole 22, but is greater than the width of the straight portion 23 of the keyhole slot. The disc 26 bears against the inner face of the adjacent boards l6, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. The wire portion is forced into the straight part 23 of the slot, which straight part is of a width slightly in excess of the diameter of the wire. The end of the wire is then secured in place by a clamp 30, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the clamp being shown more fully in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

The clamp 30 comprises a channel steel base 3| the flanges 32 of which can rest upon one of the walers 9-| 5 and space the web 33 of the channel from the waler. The length of the channel is made approximately equal to the width of the rib or waler, although this is optional. A plate 35, the top of which is bent forward, as indicated at 36, and the bottom of which is bent back, as indicated at 3?, is welded or otherwise permanently secured to the channel 3|, being welded to the flanges as well as to the web of the channel. The distance between the upper surface of the bottom portion 31 of the plate 35 and the bottom of the flanges 32 of the channel 3| is made exactly equal to the thickness of the waler The plate 35 has a circular hole 39 therein, the top of which is immediately below the lower surface of the web 33 of the channel 3|.

This hole is of a. size somewhat larger than the diameter of the knob 28 of the tie wire 25.

The top forwardly bent portion 36 of the plate 35 has a rectangular slot 40 therein through which a forked wedge 4| extends loosely. The wedge comprises a head portion 43 and two similar wedge-shaped tines 44-44 extending therefrom. The lower ends of the tines are outwardly flared to serve two purposes. First, by reason of the outward flare the wedge is irremovable from the slot 40 so that there is no possibility for the wedge becoming displaced and lost from the rest of the clamp structure. Secondly, the outwardly flared arrangement of the tines facilitates the movement of the tines into embracing relationship to the end of the tie wire 25. The distance between the two tines is slightly in excess of the diameter of the tie wire 25 and is appreciably less than the diameter of the head 28 at the end of the tie Wire.

To secure the end of the tie wire in place the clamp 30 is placed on the rib II, the flanges 32 resting on the rib and the knobbed end of the tie wire 25 passing through the hole 39 while the bottom 31 of the plate 35 embraces the bottom of the rib At this time the wedge is raised so that it does not interfere with the positioning of the clamp. The flanges 32 rest upon the rib and afford a good bearing area for the clamp. The wedge 4| is then lowered until the tines 44 embrace the wire, and is then hammered downwardly, thus forcing the head 28 and the adjacent part of the tie wire to the right, and drawing the wire tight. .As a force is exerted against the wire by the wedge the clamp does not have to be braced against turning towards the panel because the flange 32 bears against the single waler and thus holds the plate 35 against turning in a direction counter-clockwise as seen in Figure 3. In the absence of the channel base 3| it would be necessary to extend the plate 35 appreciably above the waler and provide something generally in the form of a second waler to bear against the plate 35 and prevent turning of the plate- 35. This is obviated by the present invention.

In Figures 6, '7 and 8 there have beenillustrated, diagrammatically, another way in which the clamps previously described may be used in connection with the tie wires for holding concrete forms or molds. This form comprises a series of vertical wood studs 5|, 52, 53and 54, suitably anchored at the bottom and tied together adjacent the top by a single waler 55, the studs and waler being, preferably, 2 x 4 wood planks. Wooden boards or sheeting 56 are nailed to the studs 5|54 and constitute one face of the form in contact with the concrete to be thereafter poured, as is Well known in the art. The boards or sheets may have keyhole slots formed therein for receiving tie wires, as in the panels previously described, or the tie wires may extend between adjacent boards as is usual. The tie wires 25 extend through the sheeting and have their ends secured in place by clamps identical to the clamp 30 of a construction previously described. If desired, alternate clamps 6|l-6| on the waler are reversed. One clamp 60 is mounted on the single waler 65 in the same manner as is the clamp 30 of Figure 3. The adjacent clamp BI is mounted on the underside of the single waler, that is, in a position up-side-down from that illustrated in Figure 3, the tie wire 25 for this clamp extending below the waler instead of above the same.

Below the waler 55 the forms are tied together by tie wires held in place by clamps embracing the studs |54, as illustrated in Figure 7. Alternate clamps on the studs face in opposite directions. This overcomes any tendency to skew or twist the studs or the walers, which tendency may exist to some degree when the concrete i in position and exerts its terriffic pressure tending to burst the forms.

In Figures 9 and 10 I have illustrated the clamp of the present invention modified to receive a diiferent and well known type of wedge,

such as is used for a different type of tie Wire.

The wedge of Figure 8 and the tie wire in connection with which this clamp and wedge are to be used may be of constructions such as are illustrated in the patent to Pinaud, et al., No. 2,095,714, issued October 12, 1937. The wedge itself constitutes no part of the present invention but the clamp, including the wedge as a component part thereof, does. In this construction the channel 3| is of the same construction as is the corresponding channel of the clamp previously described. A plate 35', which corresponds to the plate 35 of the clamp previously described, is welded to the channel base 3|. The top of the plate 35 extends a short distance above the top of the channel base 3|, in one construction approximately one inch above the top of the base 3| although this distance may be reduced to onefourth inch on the same size clamp. The top of the plate 35 extends forwardly, as indicated at 36', andthe bottom extends rearwardly, as indicated at 31'. The distance from the bottom portion 31' to the bottom of the flanges 32 of the channel 3| is made exactly equal to the thickness of the waler, or of the studs, as in the clamp previously described. The top 36' of the plate 35' has a longitudinal slot 60 therein through which a wedge 6| extends, the wedge being of a construction illustrated in the Pinaud patent above set forth, and including a slight projection 62 at the bottom thereof for preventing withdrawal of the wedge from the slot and also'of such width at the top 63 as to prevent withdrawal of the wedge in the opposite direction, whereby the wedge is irremovable from the plate 35. The Wedge has a number of holes 64 therethrough spaced about three-eighths of an inch apart, each for receiving a nail, as will be presently described. The clamp above described is used in the same manner as is the clamp previously described.

The tie wire in which this clamp is used includes a loop 68 at the end thereof in lieu of the enlarged head or knob 28 of the tie wire previously described. The wedge 6| extends through the loop 68 in the tie wire. The tie wire is drawn taut by hammering the wedge further and further into the loop 68.

The clamp illustrated in Figure 9 may be used in the same manner as is the clamp of Figure 3, as previously described but with a different type of tie wire. One such use is illustrated in Figure 10 wherein the single waler is indicated at 10 and the sheeting at 12. The base 3| of the clamp rests on the waler 10 and the bottom portion 31 dropping, a nail or peg is forced through one of the holes 64 which is adjacent what is then the top side of the portion 36' of the clamp, thus holding the wedge against any appreciable dropping.

The portion 36' of this clamp is somewhat higher above the top of the channel 3| than in the construction illustrated in Figure 3. This is provided in order to permit somewhat larger tilting of thewedge to facilitate insertion into the loop 68 of the tie wire.

In the two clamps thus far described means is provided for embracing three sides of a stud or waler. As the tie wire is drawn taut it exerts a pull upon the clamp, which pull would ordinarily tend to rotate the clamp about the waler. Such rotation is prevented by the provision of the base 3| which bears against one side of the stud or waler. The base 3| is shown as being of a channel shape but it is obvious that this shape may be altered as desired, since the prime function of the base 3| is to bear against the stud or waler and prevent turning of the clamp. Any structural shape, such as angle iron, or a member of any other cross section, may be used. A structural shape is preferable since such sections are standard and readily obtainable. It is important that the tie wire receiving hole 39 in the plate 35 shall be located between the base 3| and the bent back portion 31. In such a structure the waler' or the stud does not have to be provided with a groove or the like for receiving the end of the tie wire.

While I have shown the present clamp as provided with two standard types of wedges for drawing the end of the tie wire taut and clamping it in place, other types of wedges may be used. For instance, the hole 39 in the plate 35 may be made of a shape other than round as, for instance, a keyhole slot, such as is illustrated at in Figure 1. The sides 23 of the keyhole slot may be built up to form wedges on the outside of the plate 35 upon which wedging surfaces the knob 28 of the tie wire could ride. The clamp can then be inserted in place on the waler, with the tie wire passing through the keyhole slot in the clamp and then by forcing the clamp a short distance along the waler the knob is made to ride on the wedging surfaces.

From the description above given it is apparent that in accordance with the teachings of the present invention it is possible to use a clamp in connection with concrete forms that are reenforced by studs, or by single walers, without requiring additional means in the form of a second waler or its equivalent for holding the clamp in place. This greatly reduces the cost of setting up concrete forms by reducing not only the amount of lumber required but also reducing the labor costs.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes I have here shown and described a few preferred embodiments of my invention. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise constructions here shown, the same being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. What I consider new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tie clamp for holding a tie wire in a concrete mold, comprising a channel shaped base member, and a plate welded and extending at right angles thereto and in the same direction from the web of the channel as the directionof the flanges from the web, said plate having a tie wire receiving opening spaced from the web a distance less than the height of the flanges of the channel, and means for wedging the end of the tie wire in said clamp.

2. A tie wire clamp comprising a plate having a forwardly extending wedge receiving projection at one end, a wedge extending therethrough, a' rearwardly extending projection at the opposite end, a second rearwardly extending projection intermediate the ends, and a tie wire receiving opening in said plate between said two projections.

3. A tie wire clamp for holding a wire in a concrete mold of the type wherein the mold wall is reenforced at the back by a beam, said clamp including an angle body having a channelshaped first arm the flanges of which are adapted to bear against a face of the reenforcement which is 'at right angles to the mold wall and a second arm adapted to bear against a face of the reenforcement which is parallel to the mold wall, said second arm having a tie wire receiving opening at that part thereof which is adjacent the first arm and between said first arm and the reenforcement against which said first arm bears for receiving a tie wire in the trough of the channel and between the reenforcement and the web of the channel.

4. A tie wire clamp for holding a wire in a concrete mold of the type wherein the mold wall is reenforced at the back by a beam, said clamp including an angle body having a first arm adapt- 7 ed to bear against a face of the reenforcement which is at right angles to the mold wall and a second arm adapted to bear against a face of the reenforcement which is parallel to the mold wall, said second arm having a tie wire receiving opening at that part thereof which is adjacent that surface of the first arm that bears against the reenforcement, and means for drawing a tie wire through said opening and locking it taut, said means being secured to said angle body to constitute an irremovable part of the clamp.

5. A tie wire clamp for holding a tie wire in a concrete mold of the type wherein the mold is reenforced by a beam, said clamp including an angle body having two arms at right angles to one another of which the first arm is adapted to extend over a face of the beam which is at right angles to the mold wall and the second arm is adapted to bear against the face of the beam which is parallel to the mold wall, said second face having a tie wire receiving opening therein adjacent the face of the first arm which bears against the beam so that a tie wire extending through said opening lies adjacent that face of the reenforcement against which said first arm is adapted to bear, and means for wedging a tie wire to said clamp.

6. In a concrete mold of the type wherein the mold wall is reenforced at the back by a beam, a clamp including an angle body having a first arm bearing against a face of the beam which is at right angles to the mold wall and an arm bearing against a face of the beam which is parallel to the mold wall, a tie wire extending from the mold adjacent to and across said first mentioned face of the beam to and past the second arm, said second arm having a slotted wedge-receiving projection extending therefrom in a direction opposite to that of the first arm, and wedge means extending through said projection and locking the tie wire in place.

7. In a concrete mold of the type wherein the mold wall is reenforced at the back by a beam, a clamp including an angle body having a first arm extending completely across a face of the beam which is at right angles to the mold wall and bearing against the mold wall, and an arm bearing against a face of the beam which is parallel to the mold wall, a tie wire extending from the mold adjacent to and across said first mentioned face of the beam to and past the second arm, and located between said face and the portion of the first arm which is remotest from said first mentioned face, and means adjacent said second arm for locking the tie wire to said clamp.

8. In a concrete mold of the type wherein the mold wall is reenforced at the back by a beam, a clamp including an angle body having a first arm extending completely across a face of the beam which is at right angles to the mold wall and bearing against the mold wall, and an arm bearing against a face of the beam which is parallel to the mold wall, a tie wire extending from the mold adjacent-to and across said first mentioned face of the beam to and past the second arm, and located between said face and the portion of the first arm which is remotest from said first mentioned face, said second arm having a slotted wedge-receiving projection extending therefrom in a direction opposite to that of the first arm, and wedge means extending through said projection and locking the tie wire in place.

9. In a concrete mold of the type wherein the mold wall is reenforced at the back by a beam, a clamp including an angle body' having a first arm bearing against a face of the beam which is at right angles to the mold wall and an arm bearing against a face of the beam which is parallel to the mold wall, a tie wire extending from the mold adjacent to and across said first mentioned face of the beam to and past the second arm, said tie wire being located between the first mentioned face of the beam and that surface of the first mentioned arm which is remote from said face, whereby the pull on the tie wire has substantially no component tending to rotate said first mentioned arm in a direction away from said first mentioned face, and means adjacent said second arm for locking the tie wire to said clamp.

10. In a concrete mold of the type wherein the mold wall is reenforced at the back by a beam, a clamp including an angle body having a first arm extending completely across a face of the beam which is at right angles to the mold wall and bearing against the mold wall, and an arm bearing against a faceof the beam which is parallel to the mold wall, a tie wire extending from the mold adjacent to and across said first mentioned face of the beam to and past the second arm, and located between said face and the portion of the first arm which is remotest from said first mentioned face, and means adjacent said second arm for locking the tie wire to said clamp, said means comprising a wedge-shaped plate slidable with respect to the arms of said clamp but locked against removal therefrom and extending through a loop in the end of the tie wire.

JACOB A. KANTER. 

